Is a group tour right for you?

Is a group tour right for you?

Group tour or not?

Depending on your travel personality, tour travel can be a pleasure or a pain.  Enjoyable travel takes a lot of money, planning, and for things to fall in place.  Planning a trip with different sightseeing on the agenda takes a bit of experience.  An organized tour will provide all the organization and prep work for you.  Considering the advantages and disadvantages, is a group tour right for you?  Here are a few thoughts to consider.

Tour companies take care of all the organization and prep work for visiting landmarks.  They usually include the most popular destinations so that your itinerary will offer the best of your destination goals.  Tour operators and guides also provide a bit of insider knowledge since they are from the area. They often share historical information not widely known that can enhance the experience.

Organized tours have designated times and schedules.  This scheduling can allow you to relax and enjoy your travel without having to create your plans.  However, it prevents you from vacationing on your terms and timing. To many, this can be a significant disadvantage. The specific tour guidelines and lack of control can be a turnoff for many travelers.  Being stuck on a tour bus with dozens of people or a tour with a standard of service not expected can be a turnoff.

Knowing the maximum group size, age specifics, or style of tour is also essential.  Smaller group tours give the advantage of a more personalized and unique experience.  Age specifics allow you to be more aware of the group capacity.  A young adult going on a tour for retirees is a prime example of a mismatch.  Alternatively, going on an adventurous tour when you find relaxing trips more enjoyable can be a disaster.

One advantage of an organized tour is the fact that tours give an aspect of safety.  Tour companies are usually risk-averse.  They often choose destinations and activities that cater to the age and preferences of the tour group.  If travelers are not conscious of the age and demographics of the tour group, they can find themselves in undesirable circumstances.

Finally, pricing can be an advantage or a disadvantage.  Tour packages can include meals, transportation, hotels, flights, entry fees, or sightseeing.  Often travelers assume that their tour packages include items that are not included or available for an additional cost.  Although tour pricing can be attractive, individual research and planning could also be more advantageous. If considering a tour, do your research to determine if a tour is right for you.  Consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding.  Do you prefer tours or trip planning on your own? I’d like to know.

Thankful for the memories

Thankful for the memories

2020 has definitely been a year of great emotions with many highs and lows. My last blog post discussed the angst of Covid travel during Thanksgiving. This post I’d like to dedicate to the joy of going back home.

My life has significantly changed since I left home so many years ago to make my mark on the world. I have traveled extensively both for work and for pleasure. Pulling up to my mom’s home reminded me not only of how much I have made inner travel, as much as I have made the physical travels.

My mom has lived in the same apartment for over forty years. In comparison, I live in a five- bedroom home with plenty of hosting spaces, inside and out, as well as an apartment in Singapore that I also call home.

Despite those differences, this thanksgiving was one of the happiest and memorable ever. Chairs had to be brought in for seating, the floor became a seating space, and laps became temporary dining spaces. However, the laughter flowed and happiness permeated the room.

In our travels, it’s not always the destination, but how we get to the destination that matters. I invite you to take an inner journey and reflect on the travel you have made to reach the destination you’re currently at. I encourage you to be thankful for the memories. It could have been better or it could have been worse, but give thanks for the journey you’ve traveled keep looking forward to the ones ahead. We are not all as blessed.

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